All-Star Recap: AL Tops NL 6-3, DeGrom Strikes Out The Side

The American League All Stars defeated the National League All Stars by a score of 6-3 in Cincinnati Tuesday night.

National League:

Pitching:

Zack Greinke started the game for the National League. He pitched two strong innings after giving up an opposite field leadoff home run to Angels’ outfielder Mike Trout. The next batter walked, however he retired the remainder of batters he faced, four of which via the strikeout.

Clayton Kershaw came in to pitch the 5th inning and allowed 2 earned runs on 3 hits and one walk.

And in ran the flowing locks of Jacob deGrom to pitch the 6th inning, who immediately struck out Steven Vogt on three straight fastballs. Then Jason Kipnis came up and did a little better, he struck out on four fastballs, two of which hit 98 mph. Then Jose Iglesias came in and after flailing at a 97 mph fastball he wasn’t even close when deGrom played with him throwing two sliders. So yes, Jacob deGrom struck out the side on 10 pitches. There were 0 foul balls. 5 swinging and 4 called strikes. He was DOMINANT. Or… Shall I say… deGrominant.

Francisco Rodriguez, who has no numbers as good as Jeurys Familia‘s, came in for the 7th inning and was hit around. He gave up consistently solid contact, allowing 2 earned runs on 1 hit and a walk.

After deGrom whiffed through the American League batters in the top of the 6th inning, Andrew McCutchen jumped on the first pitch he saw from Chris Archer to blast a second deck home run to left field to trim the score to 3-2.

Ryan Braun led of the 9th inning with a triple into the right field corner, then almost immediately scored on a Brandon Crawford SAC fly to reduce the lead to 6-3. Kris Bryant then flew out to the warning track in right field, just missing a home run. Joe Panik then lined out to left field to end the game.

American League:

Pitching:

Dallas Keuchel of the Astros started for the American League, pitching 2 innings allowing 2 hits and one unearned run, and struck out one. He was relieved by Felix Hernandez and does what kings do, pitching a perfect 3rd inning, striking out Andrew McCutchen.

Zach Britton came in with one out in the 6th and allowed a hit, but worked out of a jam to keep the AL’s lead intact.

Dellin Betances took the 7th inning, allowing a walk while striking out one. Royals setup man Wade Davis took the 8th, allowing a hit and striking out 2.

Glen Perkins came in for the 9th with a 4 run lead and despite giving up a triple and a sac fly, he secured the win with an otherwise clean inning.

Offense:

Mike Trout led off the game with an opposite field solo shot off Zack Greinke to give the American League an early 1-0 lead. He ended up going 1-3 with a walk and two runs scored.

In the 5th inning with a runner on first, Mike Trout hit a ground ball which should have been a double play, but it was turned too slow up the middle and Trout was safe at first. Manny Machado flew out, then Albert Pujols walked to put runners on first and second with 2 outs. Prince Fielder proceeded to knock a base hit to left field scoring Mike Trout to give the AL a 2-1 lead. Then on the very next pitch, Lorenzo Cain ripped a double down the line scoring Albert Pujols for a 3-1 lead.

Ever since I experienced Mike Piazza's post 9/11 home run to beat the Braves at Shea, I have been a die-hard Mets fan and exhaustive lover of baseball. I am a recent graduate of Ithaca College where I pitched on the varsity baseball team for four years and have been writing for MetsMerized Online since January of 2015.
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